–B K Int’l confident deadline will be met
NEW European Union Ambassador to Guyana, Robert Kopecky, wants to see an immediate acceleration in the pace of sea defence rehabilitation works being done by contractor by BK International under the 9th EDF project. And in a release to the media, Kopecky has cautioned about “the risk of loss of considerable amount of funds, which would not be in the spirit of the so far very good friendly and good cooperation”, should the pace of sea defence rehabilitation not be increased.
The EU is also seeking the help of its Guyanese partners in both the public and private sectors.
The EU envoy made his concerns known following a visit to eight of 31 sites to be rehabilitated using EU funds, namely Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara (WCD); Organgestein, West Bank Demerara ( WBD), and Walton Hall and Lima on the Essequibo Coast.
According to the release, on December 13 and 14 last, representatives from all involved parties conducted, for provisional acceptance, a first inspection of locations at  Kitty in Georgetown; Coldingen, Melanie Damishana and Clonbrook, on the East Coast of Demerara; Lima, Walton Hall, Johanna Cecelia, Aurora and Onderneeming on the Essequibo Coast; Zeelandia, Wakenaam, Essequibo Islands; and Springlands, Corentyne, Berbice.
The ambassador noted that while the works at most of the sites visited were in a satisfactory state to allow for provisional acceptance, “at some locations the works could not be taken over, (and this) could result in enforcement of liquated damages.”
In urging the contractor to accelerate the pace, Ambassador Kopecky cited what he deemed as the main reasons for the delays over the last two years: “A certain lack of capacity in managing the large portfolio of the contract, and to some extent inadequate provision of resources.”
Yesterday,  Managing Director of  BK International, Brian Tiwarie, in an invited comment,  said all the comments by the EU envoy have been noted, and that the company, through its own project  reviews and assessments, had already started to put measures in place in an effort to meet its deadline.
Among these measures are the re-introduction of an extended shift, and increase of personnel in the mechanical and maintenance departments.
However, in working the extended hours, the company was now faced with residents’ complaints, by way of letters to the editors of the daily newspapers, about the noise nuisance in communities, even though the said residents are aware that the works being executed are for their own benefit, and are not on a long-term basis.
Alluding to some critics of the project execution, who are claiming that the amended February 2012 deadline would not be met, Tiwarie recalled that when he competed against a foreign-based company to bid for the project, his bidding price was more than 20 million euros less.
But, according to him, due to a more than six-month delay in obtaining duty-free concessions for specialised machinery and equipment, the project was delayed by the client.

To date, BK International has requested provisional acceptance and completed inspection for 13 sites.
Sites inspected for October were at Springlands, Coldingen, Kitty, Aurora, Onderneeming, and Johanna Cecelia, even though the handing-over date was for November.
For November, the sites inspected were at Clonbrook, Melanie Damishana, Uitvlugt, Orangestein, Lima, Walton Hall and Zeelandia, which the company has completed ahead of the January date. Sites slated for handing over this month are at Non Pareil, Windsor Forest and Hampton Court.
In regard to the ambassador’s comment that spoke of “lack of capacity in managing the large portfolio of the contract, and to some extent inadequate provision of resources”, Tiwarie begged to differ and recalled that his tender sum was further reduced by 300,000 euros because the employer had felt there were too many site offices to be established under the project.
Tiwarie reminded that his outfit has, for years, been a household name in the area of rehabilitation of sea defences; and that he currently owns and manages one of the largest quarries in the Caribbean, in addition to several ships and barges.
Tiwarie said his company is committed to ensuring works on the country’s sea defences are done to the highest standard; even as he, his engineers and employees executing the job remain focused and are confident that, with the additional measures being implemented, the deadline will be met.